Pacio & blankie

 Vivienne is our first baby who is attached to a pacifier and a blanket. Both of the boys had a blanket they liked, but didn't have to have it to sleep. Despite my efforts - neither of them would take a pacifier. It definitely wasn't from lack of trying! (Chase did NOT like riding in the car during his first 6 months. Those were some long trips!)

The boys had a blanket and stuffed animal they snuggled with - and so did Loe. Ren has Teddy. Her bear has played a major roll in her life since we sent it to her in China...she still takes it EVERYWHERE and sleeps with it every night. He is very well loved. :)

Vivi took to her pacifiers right from the start in the hospital. For months - even until she was over a year old - she just needed it to fall asleep. Which meant every time she woke up she needed it. (Who ever invented glow-in-the-dark pacifiers...pure brilliance!) 

Vivi loves to rub the satin edge of her blanket on her face. We have a few lighter, thinner blankets with satin and she'll tolerate them if THE blankie isn't around. But, he much prefers this big, thick, heavy blanket. Ugh! Not so great in the summer heat!

Despite the other blankets, she simply must have her "blankie & pacio" when she is feeling emotionally distraught. No clue where that twist on paci came from - but it's cute so it stuck. And the girl has gone from needing it only to sleep - to wanting it off and on through out the day, especially if she gets hurt, is tired or is emotional in any way. She loses it until these precious items can be located and brought to her. (Which means we have several pacios scattered around for times such as this.) Yep...she's a tad spoiled. But, unless you've heard this girl scream or have witnessed the meltdowns...don't judge me!

We learned and were reminded of many great pieces of information at the Orphan Summit. One was how some children from hard places (which can include babies adopted at birth who endured a stressful pregnancy...and let's face it any pregnancy in which a birth mom chooses to make an adoption plan for her baby is most likely stressful one) can really benefit from proprioceptive activity. Chewing gum, pushing, pulling, climbing - using muscles & joints in a resistance-type/active engagement activities. Since she is a toddler it's hard to know if she is cutting molars, being needy or perhaps it is because it helps to calm her. (She does chew on it as well!)

Since Vivi is not yet two, she is fairly high maintenance and we think she will be our last baby - we aren't too concerned about her attachment to her blankie and pacio at this point. And in fact I think she's rather irresistible when she grabs them and asks to "nuggle". Actually I LOVE it! And as my mom always says, "This, too, shall pass."  Granted...we may be working hard to help it pass in a year, but for now - they bring peace and quiet and good snuggles!

Ren's First Day of School!

 Today was Miss Ren's first day of school. WHAT?! How can that sweet baby I met just five years ago be ready for this already?  Because we have been homeschooling for the past ten years and just recently made a big change to how we educate our children - I didn't picture school starting out this way for Ren. But, what a fun, exciting and special day it was!

She been asking...no, begging to join Loe and go to school this whole past trimester. She's fond of actually saying the whole name...Ellerslie Prep Academy. Every. Time. She. Asks. :) The school is actually still in the form of a homeschool tutoring service for church members. But, I think their eventual plan is to become a full k-12 private school. 

The whole 'posing by the front door' idea started way back when the boy were in school years ago. They made silly faces and now apparently it's daddy's role to be silly - photo bombing in the window. Gotta love that man.

I really appreciate school uniforms - they look nice and there is no arguments about what to wear each day. They make it even easier for us by having a color for each day. Loe loves a schedule! And Ren was thrilled to finally get to wear school clothes like Loe.

Ren has missed Loe this past few months. Between Loe starting school and being out on tour a few weeks here and there - it was a big adjustment for sure. But, it was good for Vivi and Ren (though VERY trying for me at times as these two clash quite a bit - which gives us plenty of time for character training. Doesn't that sound so much better then bickering siblings and breaking up A LOT of fights?)

They were excited to be going to school together. They will be in different classes - but still get to see each other at recess and here and there through out the day. And this gives me some time with Vivi each morning. This girl can definitely use plenty of character training and direction. :) Actually when she's not competing with the others - she is a very different child! We had a great morning together! I didn't get a thing done - other than playing with her - but like rocking her to sleep - I'll soak it up while I can.

At school the teachers and some fabulous Ellerslie students are out at the drop-off zone - to escort the kids to their classes if we just want to drop off and go. Today - I walked Ren to class. After all the pics at home along with feeling a tad nervous about her first day - she was less then patient with my desire to take more pictures. In fact several of her Aunties and Uncles (staff) from His Little Feet were out - ready to say hi to her and she was almost too distracted to notice them. But, I still proceeded to torture her with several more pics. Look at this glorious campus they get to be at every day! SOOOO pretty and peaceful. There is all kinds of wildlife - two pelicans landed on the lake when I picked them up today. There are often geese, ducks, cranes, eagles and deer around and about.

Ren is in a cute little classroom with 5 other kiddos. They will evaluate where she is and order curriculum accordingly. We love so many things about the school - some things being the Christ-centered biblical focus, the flexibility with family priorities and our choir schedule and the way the kids get to work at their own level and pace.

The teachers are fabulous. It's one of the main reasons we are so comfortable sending our girls there from 8:45 to 1:00 every day. They are passionate about Jesus, children and learning. This is Miss Christina. Such a sweet young lady. She welcomed Ren in so warmly. 

 Ren knows the other children in her class already from church and choir. They are a bunch of cutie pies. And though our little school is small - it is diverse! The girls are in school with children from the US, Australia, Korea, Haiti, Vietnam, China (obviously) and soon Colombia! :) Love that!

This is part of their cute little classroom. (You can tell Ren was VERY ready for me to be done with photos and leave!) They do some work at their desks and also have playtime, bible time, stories, recess (that often involves playing and/or learning some organized PE skills). There is a large grassy area outside the classroom and they also walk to the park 1/2 a block away.

 I should have taken pics after school. She was so excited to tell me all about her day! ADORABLE! She had a blast and her teacher said she did great. She came right home and laid out her clothes for tomorrow. :) Having our afternoons free means we can still get plenty of summertime fun in or relax with books, crafts or movies in the AC if it's too hot to venture outside. They girls are playing well tonight - so maybe the break from one another is helping foster more of an appreciation of their time together. OK...so just as I was typing that last line - Ren screamed that Vivi pinched her...again. But - other then the occasional scuffles like that - they are having fun! 

I was chatting with a friend today and we were marveling that God can work in our lives - teaching us and our children and growing our families in so many different ways. When we are following His leading - sometimes He takes us where we never imagined going. Eleven years ago I could NOT imagine homeschooling our boys. Ten years ago I could NOT imagine having more than 2 children or adopting internationally. Five years ago I could NOT imagine an open, domestic adoption. Two years ago I could NOT imagine adopting an older child. And one year ago I could NOT imagine sending our girls to school. But...here we are. We are SO blessed and God is SO faithful!

Trying to wait well

I think I've talked before about what I was like during our first adoption. For the first few months I spent every waking moment a lot of time focused on our home study, dossier, immigration, projected timelines, Chinese culture, the reasons for so many orphans in China, the adoption community, attachment, and the blogs...oh the blogs. I cried so many tears over those adoption stories. Even though at the time China was actually speeding up their adoption program...I found myself feeling VERY impatient about getting our baby girl home. Suddenly...I realized I was almost wishing away the days, weeks and months, seasons even. And I knew then...just as I know now that each and every day with my family is a gift. And I do not want to wish one moment of that away. I love each and every season in parenting - so many joys along with the challenges. First words, first jokes. The joy of listening to fun stories and reading their first story. Scripture coming to life as they read and understand. Walking them through what it means to let God be God in our lives. I also enjoy every season here in Colorado. It's a time for beautiful flowers to bloom. The scent of fresh cut grass to drift into open windows. Splashing in puddles. Dirty feet and sun-kissed cheeks. Swim lessons. Long walks. Days at the beach and the park. I want to be very present as summer begins and I get to be the mom to 2 amazing young men and 3 precious little girls. I want to sit and watch them play "Rapunzel" on the swing set and hold my breath as Vivi determines she WILL repeatedly climb the ladder and play with the big girls.

 

Today we received news we knew might likely come our way. Colombia has requested more information for our dossier. This is very common. But, we still hoped we might be one of the few that it doesn't happen to. We hoped we'd speed through review and be traveling this summer. But...alas it doesn't look like that will happen. Each time they ask for more info it could set us back 4-6 weeks. So disappointing. But..we also know from all of the waiting we have done over the past 9 years of adopting - that God is at work even when we can't see it. Sometimes it's in the process, perhaps in the child and often it's in us! Trevor and I spent some much needed time praying tonight and we sense God is moving us into a season of growth and perhaps a spring cleaning of our hearts, our marriage and parenting. Even without adopting a 13 year old GIRL (pray for us!) from another country...we have been in and continue to be in a busy season of our lives. We have 2 adult sons - one staying at home saving money right now. We have a 9, 5 and 21 month old - all with their own needs. (AKA...issues!) Trevor is plugging away at school. We are still working on licensing (and hope to have some good news to share soon!). EBG is planing and preparing for our Colombia Hosting program - with precious children coming in December. Trevor is connecting with churches, adoption ministries and other groups and organizations in the area. Our lives have been CRAZY in a wonderful way as the girls have been a part of His Little Feet the past 5 months and will continue to be through the summer. Loe finished her first trimester of school at Ellerslie and Ren will start when she returns for the summer trimester. And Vivi...is still just as busy, ornery and precious as ever. Yes...our lives are full...overflowing with gifts and amazing opportunities for God's grace & power to show up in mighty ways. 

As summer begins we are trusting the Lord to provide the rest of our finances for our adoption. We are seeking His wisdom as we prepare the best that we can to bring our Colombian princess home. And that we continue to grow, learn, work, play, forgive, pray and love each other...we are praying that God does a mighty work in us. We long to be more like Him. We ask for Him to fill us up so that HE overflows into our kids, our relationships, our schedules, our decisions, our words. And I am asking that we don't take one day, one giggle, one opportunity to connect with our kids and point them to Jesus for granted.

Philly (HLF)

For most of the HLF trips that the girls have traveled for - I have been the one to take them. That way Trevor can stay home and get some work/school done. (With a bit of help with Viv from Kelly!) Kelly has also taken Ren or both girls out for a few trips where it worked out better for us to be home - or when it conflicted with when Trevor was in Colombia. We did travel to Fresno, CA together - because he was able to have a booth for Embraced By Grace at the Speak Up Fresno event where the choir was singing. And since we were out there in CA anyway - we ended up having a 2-day family vacation. (SO tiring, but SO beautiful and SO much fun!)

We recently had the opportunity to travel together to take both girls out for their concerts in Newark, DE - about 40 minutes from Philadelphia. The church was so great. Very passionate worship and such a warm welcome. I absolutely LOVE being able to be around to help the choir with snacks and costumes, make-up, hair, sometimes setting up and tearing down and often snuggling sweet Carris while her mama directs and sings. The HLF team is a well-oiled machine - those amazing people keep things going just fine without me! But, they always welcome me in to help when I'm around. That said, it sure was fun to go this time with Trevor and just watch the kids sing! I NEVER get tired of worshiping with these precious kiddos.

Loe stayed out to tour with the choir for a few weeks and we brought Ren and Donaldson back to CO with us. These two are hilarious! They have a blast together, but they also bicker like siblings. Oh my!

 Both of our girls decided to say in host homes with their aunties the first two nights we were there. So...that meant Trevor and I had a two nights and one day ALONE! Our hotel was near the airport in Philly and it was kind of funny that our room number was 511 - considering our day together was 5-11 - my birthday!

 What a great birthday it was! A day touring a new city with my favorite person in the whole world! We LOVE to travel together. We have a long list of places we would enjoy seeing together some day. But, our focus has been on raising kids (including paying for curriculum to homeschool and now school tuition and uniforms as well repeatedly growing our family through adoption on a single income) and so our travel has been limited to focusing on those areas. Which has meant an annual trip to Denver for the homeschool conference (and we LOVE that!). And trips to pick up our newly adopted children...in China, Florida and now Colombia...SO amazing! The gift of this crazy, busy season of traveling with HLF has been an absolute blast! I have enjoyed every single church and conference we've been to. And the little bits of local history, culture and scenery I've had a chance to take in...awesome!

When we realized we had this little escape (did I mention it was WITHOUT ANY CHILDREN?!) we were quite excited! Outside of a few dates - we haven't been away WITHOUT children (when it wasn't a homeschool, orphan or adoption conference) for a LONG, LONG time! I feel like we could spend a week in every big city and still not see all there is to see. So, with one day it was hard to choose where exactly to go...we actually decided to be tourist-nerds and take a double-decker bus tour. It was a total blast! You purchase tickets that are good all day long. They travel around the city making 20 stops where you can get off and back on other buses as they come around. The tour guides are full of all kinds of knowledge of the city, the history and the culture. We got off at a few stops to look around, eat lunch and have coffee. We eventually finished the tour. After lunch we were tired and didn't really feel like walking, but wanted to stay downtown so we just hopped back on one of the buses and rode it around a second time without getting off anywhere. Other then a bit of drizzle and haze during the first tour that morning - it was a beautiful day. Partly cloudy in the afternoon and not too hot. I OVE to be outside when it's like that and riding on the top of a bus seeing all these great places...what a treat! We now know more about Philly then we do about Denver! It was SO educational and quite fascinating! My one complaint (to myself) was that I decided not to drag my big camera along on this trip. BIG mistake! So - these were all taken on my phone. And I missed many shots - just because we were moving and it was hard to get good shots.

 

We parked near Independence Hall - so we started out by taking a tour there. The building is so pretty and kind of sad that it is now dwarfed by big, ugly skyscrapers behind it. OK - they aren't all ugly - I really do like big cities with all of the buildings. But, nothing seems to compare to the beautiful, old architecture like this. And even though I've stood in places in China that were built thousands of years ago, I'm still pretty impressed with buildings that have been here for hundreds of years...at the birth of the USA. Yep - we're kind of a mess now. But, still a pretty unique country. I'm thankful to live here and be able to worship the one TRUE God and go where we want, when we want. Freedom is a such gift. Thankful for those who have fought bravely to keep it that way.

 As we stood outside the hall - the bell rang and it was surreal to be in this place. This place where bold men came to amend the articles of confederation and they ended up creating a new country.

We were able to see the rooms where these men...these founding fathers adopted the declaration of independence, the American flag and so much more. 

Much of he original wood and brick remain. That always amazes me. So beautiful.

This city is known for it's many statues and murals, along with all of the obvious history.

 

 

Trevor thought it was pretty cool when we would see newer buildings built right around the old ones like this one.

As our bus rounded a corner and started down this street. I looked up and was in awe of the building in front of us. It is City Hall and it is breathtakingly beautiful. 

 It is the world's tallest masonry building. Apparently the city contemplated tearing it down in the 50's but discovered the cost to do so would bankrupt the city! Not sure why the heck they were even considering that anyway...I think it's the coolest building in the city!

The detail and it's presence are amazing. Sitting on the top is a statue of William Penn. The tallest statue that sits on top of a building in the world - he is 37 feet tall and weighs 53,000 lbs. Apparently the creator of that statue as well as the 250 others wanted Penn to face south so you could see the detail of his face. But, he faces north - towards Penn Treaty Park - where Penn signed the treaty with the local Native American tribe. The statues commemorate this tribe as well as many other people groups. 

The info that our tour guides love to tell was the Curse of Billy Penn. Apparently there was a gentlemen's agreement that no building would be taller then the statue. And amazingly this remained until 1987 when One Liberty Place went up (the cool building that is noticeable in the Philly skyline). When that happened all of their teams began a long losing streak.

It wasn't until they affixed a statuette of Penn onto the Comcast Center, which was currently the tallest building in the city. The following year the Phillies won the World Series and other teams began to do better as well. Too funny!  

We did find it fascinating that the city didn't contain these giant buildings until the 80's. 

But, I was still most impressed by the beautiful, old buildings. 

Betsy Ross's house...or at least they think it was. Maybe it was the one next door - but has since been demolished. And they also pointed out that there is no clear receipt of her making the flag...so was it even her?! Too funny. We didn't stop - but they had a courtyard with pretty table set up and folks out there in period costume serving lunch and tea. Our girls would have loved it!

 Ben Franklin - made entirely of keys

 The Thinker. And behind this the structure is very pretty with more steps and columns leading up to an art museum. There was a wedding party there having their pics taken. Our tour guide pointed out that they must not be aware of the fact that the pretty, decorative doors they are posting in front of are called the "Gates of Hell"!  Photo fail!!

Snapped a quick pick while turning of the Philly State Penitentiary. Apparently Al Capone spent 8 months here. Wasn't quite interesting enough for us to jump off and see it. 

  This beautiful entrance had the generals that served in the Revolutionary War - one on each side. This was where the World's Fair was held.

 

 This beautiful structure was built as an art museum - and Philly's artwork quickly outgrew it. It sat vacant for a time and now it houses the Please Touch - children's museum. What a cool place for that!!

These really cool houses are where many German brewers lived to be near the breweries where hey worked. I didn't get pics of so many of the other districts we drove through - all with fascinating history. The oldest residential street. We traveled down Race Street - known for the illegal horse & carriage racing! Ha! For some reason that cracks me up. An old building still with windows darkened and plastered over - that was a Speak Easy so many years ago.

And the actual Joan of Arc - given to us by France in 1890 - with a fresh coating of gold. You wouldn't miss her - she was bright even in drizzling rain! So there we were in this town with famous sculptures, murals, statues and buildings...and then...

 ...there was this. Seriously - Rocky is still big in Philly. There was a line in front of him with people waiting to have their pictures taken with him. And t-shirts were being sold. (We did pass on those!)

His statues is off to the side of the museum - but the steps are there - just like in the movie. 

And we climbed them - and took pics. But, neither of us could remember the exact pose that was so famous in the movie. 

So Trev posed in a few different spots. We didn't feel odd as people were doing this all around us!

While eating a cheese steak in a dive downtown (which had great reviews AND our guide recommended it!) we looked up and saw the Rocky poster and turns out this pose above is the closest. Minus the tall buildings in the background (remember they started coming in the 80's) and minus the tourists wondering about. 

Ther are even foot prints commemorating Rocky. Oh my. We really did this for my brother who told us to be sure and go run up Rocky's steps if we spend time in Philly. I didn't even remember that the movie was filmed here!  

Another stop was in Chinatown. It's the third largest in th US and we love spending time in these areas. It is seriously JUST like walking down the street in China. Love it! We browsed around and then took the bus back downtown. 

Our day in this amazing, beautiful, historical city was SO much fun! So thankful for the opportunity to spend time learning about and enjoying the area.

We hope to bring the girls back some day - along with some time in DC. 

What a great trip that would be!